This event seeks to dispel the associated myths and misconceptions and will highlight personal accounts of past and present refugees in the local Washington, DC area drawing on the diverse perspectives of the Asian, African, and Middle Eastern communities. The program will also look at the current situation as addressed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institution) drawing on the past and present policies and actions taken at the local, national, and global levels. Since the inauguration of President Trump in January 2017, refugees and other displaced persons have witnessed an increase in negative perceptions of their presence in the United States most notably after Executive Order 13769. Despite the blocking of this travel ban through federal judge Derrick Watson, mainstream Americans continue to hold insufficient knowledge on the circumstances pertaining to refugees and other displaced persons.

This event is open to the public and free for students as well as UNA-NCA members.